For Harry Potter Chapter Challenge – Chapter 4: The Keeper of the Keys – Write about someone remembering something from their childhood.

For OTP Boot Camp – Fremione – Prompt 35: Torn

A/N: This is based in a universe where Fred is not dead.

Beaches, Sun and Tears

"If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Hermione asked her father one day while they were waiting for her mother to finish dinner.

Her father looked up over his newspaper and smiled broadly.

"Well," he said thinking hard about the answer. "I think I would want to live in Australia. Sounds like such a beautiful country," he added nodding in agreement with himself.

"That's what mum said," Hermione giggled crossing her legs and going back to her colouring.

"Why do you ask?" Her father questioned watching Hermione curiously.

"We are learning Geography in school," she said happily pulling out a book to show her father a map of the world.

"Is that so?" Her father asked taking the map from her hands and investigating it. "Well, where would you like to live?" he asked handing the map back.

"Wherever you and mummy live."

….

Hermione watched from the safety of the bank above the beach. Many people were enjoying the cool waves on such a hot day; Hermione was constantly hearing screams of delight. Her focus however, lay on only one family. An older man sat on the beach soaking in the sun, his wife lay next to him on a towel reading her book and their son made sandcastles only meters away from his father's watchful eyes.

The boy was no more than two yeas old; he had short bushy hair and chubby baby cheeks. His name was Lucas Granger, he was Hermione's brother.

"Mama," he cooed making a tear fall down Hermione's cheek. Her mother dropped the book instantly and moved to the child's side. They built sandcastles together while Hermione's father watched lovingly.

"Hermione." Hermione did not need to move to know Fred was standing behind her, nor was she surprise that he followed her. This was not the first time she had travelled to Australia to see this heartbreaking scene. Fred took a seat beside her and cupped her hand in his.

"Is this where you have been disappearing to?" he asked looking out at the beach with a smile. Hermione nodded blinking back the tears that threatened to escape her eyes.

"If you wanted a holiday, you should have just asked. It is oddly hot, but that is something we can deal with," he added sweetly, then he looked at Hermione's face, so full of despair that he realised this was not a holiday.

"Those are my parents," Hermione croaked pointing out to the couple lying on the beach. "The boy is my two year old brother. None of them know I exist." Fred pulled Hermione against him and stroked her hair.

"Oh love," he soothed as she burst into tears against his chest.

"I want them to know who I am," she cried desperately. Fred held Hermione against him kissing the top of her head sweetly. Once her tears had stopped se sat up and looked out at the family.

"They are so happy," she sniffed. "I can't come back any more, can I?" she asked Fred. Fred thought about this carefully.

"I am not going to tell you what to do, but I don't think it is wise to come back on your own," he said putting his arm around Hermione's shoulder. "But we could always make a habit of coming to Australia for a holiday," he added. Hermione shook her head wiping away tears.

"I need to let go," she said with a big deep breath. "But could we stay for a little longer?" she asked. Fred smiled brightly and moved himself behind Hermione hugging hr against him and laying his head on her shoulder.

"For as long as you like."